Port of Grapeview prepares budget, centennial

Kirk Boxleitner | Aug 24, 20230

The Port of Grapeview’s Aug. 15 meeting saw commissioners consider renovations and spending, and as the port’s 100th anniversary approaches, celebrations.

Port commissioners Jean Farmer and Mike Blaisdell agreed the anniversary in November isn’t the best time to mark the centennial because they prefer an outdoor open house that could take advantage of pleasant weather and draw “big names” to the festivities.

Farmer and commissioner Art Whitson agreed such an occasion should also use the marina space, so it’s possible the ceremonies might be observed next summer.

Moving onto the port’s upper parking lot, Whitson noted its gravel had not yet been ordered, saying he hadn’t been able to produce a draft for renovating and shifting the parameters of its parking lot.

To produce that draft, Whitson requested the location and layout of the septic system on site.

Turning to the port’s lower parking lot, Whitson told commissioners how “several people in the community” had approached him about the parking lot’s light, asking whether the port could reduce the amount of light it casts on its surroundings. One person suggested some form of shade covering.

Whitson said other area residents have told him the light should be left as is for safety reasons.

Blaisdell and Farmer took no action regarding the light, which Whitson ultimately found persuasive. Blaisdell noted previous public discussion on the matter had also yielded positive and negative feedback about the light.

Blaisdell and Farmer agreed the light helps avoid certain risks at night and during the darker winter months, but given the many commercial harvesting vessels that launch from the port, multiple times daily, the light’s absence could constitute a liability.

Commissioners also discussed the preliminary draft of the port’s budget for next year, which is typically introduced in August and subject to public hearings in autumn, allowing residents of the port’s districts to contribute their comments to the draft’s potential revisions before its adoption by the commissioners.

As the port’s auditor, Amanda Montgomery normally would have led the Aug. 15 budget discussion, but her online connection was intermittent. Blaisdell noted he’d already provided her with his feedback. Farmer noted the budget does not include a specific line item for the Case Inlet Fisheries Task Force website, which is a joint venture between the ports of Allyn and Grapeview.

Farmer inquired about the port’s landscape maintenance budget. Blaisdell said it was higher this year due to an initial cleanup, but as the landscaping is conducted at scheduled intervals, he said he anticipates those expenditures will even out. Commissioners agreed they should check what their landscapers’ rates will be next year.

With those considerations factored in, Blaisdell expressed confidence the port would meet its deadline of posting its preliminary draft budget at

portofgrapeview.com for the public to view on or before Sept. 15.